Cast
View All
Michael Parks
as Howard Howe
Justin Long
as Wallace Bryton
Genesis Rodriguez
as Ally Leon
Haley Joel Osment
as Teddy Craft
Johnny Depp
as Guy Lapointe
Harley Morenstein
as Border Agent
Ralph Garman
as Detective
Jennifer Schwalbach Smith
as Gimli Slider Waitress
Harley Quinn Smith
as Girl Clerk #1
Lily-Rose Depp
as Girl Clerk #2
Ashley Greene
as Convenient Store Customer
Douglas Banks
as Kill Bill Kid
Matthew Shively
as Young Howe
Zak Knutson
as Ernest Hemingway (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Kevin Smith
Writer
- Kevin Smith
Producer
- Shannon McIntosh
- David S. Greathouse
- William D. Johnson
- Sam Englebardt
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Comedy/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Tusk presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Kevin Smith brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2014, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Tusk took approximately 20 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $3.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 105 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 158 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
- The costume department created over 359 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The film contains approximately 1380 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2014, when this film is released:
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Tusk shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike From Hell, which focuses more on action than character development, Tusk subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Videodrome and Hostel explore similar territory, Tusk stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 19, 2014
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Budget: $3,000,000
- Revenue: $1,882,074
